OSGOOD-SCHLATTER

DISEASE
By Ryan Jackson
 WHAT IS OSGOOD-SCHLATTERS?
Osgood-Schlatter disease (OS) is a painful swelling of the bump on the
upper part of the shinbone, just below the knee. This bump is called the
anterior tibial tubercle.
 CAUSES OF OSGOOD-
SCHLATTERS
OS can be formed when too much stress, from rapid growth, is present
and the body is being overworked or repetitively exercised mainly by
running or jumping.
OS can start as a mild soreness. However, it can progress to a larger and
longer-lasting pain if it is not addressed early and appropriately.
Kids that grow faster for their age and play more than one sport also have
a higher risk of Osgood-Shlatters.
 SYMPTOMS OF OSGOOD-
SCHLATTERS
Gradually worsening pain below the knee.
Pain that worsens with any physical activity or exercise.
Anterior tibial tubercle increases in size due to inflammation and swelling.
Loss of strength in the quadriceps muscle.
Increased tightness in the quadriceps muscle.
Loss of knee motion or flexibility.
Painful discomfort in daily activities that include using your knees like
kneeling, squatting, or even walking up and down stairs.
 CAN OSGOOD-SCHLATTERS BE
SPREAD?
Osgood-Schlatters is not a contagious disease and can not be spread by
physical touch or be passed down by genes.
Osgood-Schlatter disease usually affects kids from the ages 9-16 that
participate in physical activity or sports that include repetitive use of the
legs.
 TREATMENT AND CURE
Osgood-Schlatters can be treated by four main steps:
Resting the leg.
Icing the anterior tibial tubercle.
Compression on the soreness.
Elevation of the leg.
Physical therapy can also help the knee get back to flexing normally and
functioning correctly.
If you play a sport, your doctor or physical therapist may recommend
using a knee brace specifically for pressure on the anterior tibial tubercle.
Simple OTC pain medications can also help prevent soreness and swelling
of the knee.
 TREATMENT AND CURE CONT.
This disease is not at all fatal.
Osgood-Schlatter disease usually goes away on its own over time.
However, it may not go away until after a couple months or sometimes
years depending on when the childs growth spurt ends.
 LIVING WITH OSGOOD-
SCHLATTERS
I was diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatters when I was about eleven years
old when I realized that my knees would hurt more than usual after
basketball and soccer games.
I also began to realize that every time I got hit on a specific part of my
knee, it would painfully hurt to the point where it was hard for me to run
correctly.
My dad, who is a physician, looked at it and showed me the swollen parts
of my knees and told me that I had Osgood-Schlatters disease.
I continued to play soccer and basketball. The soreness began to increase
the more I played, so my dad gave me knee braces that I could wear
during sports to help the soreness.
 LIVING WITH OSGOOD-
SCHLATTERS
I still have my Osgood-Schlatter disease. However, it has significantly
gotten better over the years and is almost fully gone.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
"Virtual Pediatric Hospital: CQQA: Osgood-Schlatter Disease." Virtual
Pediatric Hospital(tm) : A digital library of pediatric information. N.p., n.d.
Web. 09 Apr. 2017.
<http://www.virtualpediatrichospital.org/patients/cqqa/osgoodschlatter.sh
tml>.
"Osgood-Schlatter Disease." American Physical Therapy Association. N.p.,
30 July 2014. Web. 09 Apr. 2017.
<http://www.moveforwardpt.com/symptomsconditionsdetail.aspx?
cid=48921dd7-f607-47fc-aa76-7fa034815fc8>.
"Growing is a pain with Osgood Schlatters Disease." Sports Plus. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2017. <http://sportsplusbayarea.com/growing-is-a-pain-
with-osgood-schlatters-disease/>.